Hybrid tea rose plant named `Ruikuik`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of hybrid tea rose plant having cream colored flowers and suitable for growing under glass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid tea rose class which was discovered as a naturally occurring mutation in a controlled planting of the variety `Ruirovingt`, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,528. The varietal denomination of the new variety is `Ruikuik`. The new variety was isolated and asexually reproduced by budding in Holland.

Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety which distinguish it from its parent and all other varieties of which I am aware are its attractive cream colored flowers borne on a floriferous plant with long stems and suitable for production of cut flowers under glass. The new variety can be reproduced through propagation by cuttings, grafting, budding and micropropagation.

Asexual reproduction by budding of the new variety as performed in Holland shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustrations show typical specimens of the vegetative growth and flowers of the new variety in different stages of development depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character. Colors may vary depending upon growing conditions under different climate, soil, and cultivation conditions, and phenotypic expression may also vary with light, cultural, and environmental conditions.

One of the accompanying illustrations shows cut flower form of the new variety to illustrate optimum flower form and the other illustration shows details of the new rose variety in color more nearly correct for the variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety, with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.) and horticultural terminology in accordance with standard terminology used in UPOV-approved horticultural guidelines. The terminology used in color descriptions herein refers to plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart.

Parentage: Mutation of `Ruirovingt`.

Class: Hybrid Tea.

As can be seen in the accompanying detail illustration there is shown a new shoot, 1; compound three, five and seven leaflet leaves, 2, 3 and 4, respectively; a stem 5; buds, 6 and 7; a flower, 8, about one-third open; and a flower, 9, more fully open. Also shown are flower stems 10, 11 and 12, with reproductive organs displayed. The other illustration shows cut flower form of the new variety.

The following further horticultural description is based on observations made of specimens grown under glass in Holland.

FLOWER

Blooming habit: Nearly continuous; average production about 240 blooms/m² /year.

A. Bud:

(1) Size.--Medium, about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm

(2) Form.--Ovate (shape of longitudinal section just before separation of sepals); urn-shaped after sepals part.

(3) Color.--As sepals divide, near 158A.

(4) Sepals.--Longer than green bud, generally simple to slightly foliated, near 147C.

(5) Peduncle.--Long; Aspect-straight; Strength-erect, very strong. Color-medium green, near 147B to 147C.

B. Bloom:

Flower.--Large; viewed from above -- round; viewed from side -- (a) upper part of fully opened flower, flattened convex; (b) lower part of fully opened flower, flattened convex. (1) Size: Average size when fully expanded -- about 7 to about 8 cm, stem length about 50 cm. (2) Borne: Singly, one to a stem. (3) Form: High centered, exhibition type, spiral imbricated, outer petals roll under, some petals quill to points. (4) Petalage: Fully double, about 26. (5) Color: When sepals part and petals begin petal top surface appears cream, near 158A with near 4D to 4C center where petals bunch; petal undersurface near 158A. Overall tonality from a distance is near white to cream. Color at point of petal attachment, near 4C to 4D. (6) Peduncle: Generally smooth. (7) Fragrance: Slight to none.

C. Petals:

(1) Texture.--Crisp.

(2) Appearance.--Inside velvety and outside satiny.

(3) Form and size.--Broad, medium, some undulation of margin.

(4) Arrangement.--Regularly arranged, imbricated.

(5) Petaloids.--Several.

(6) Lasting Quality.--Long-lasting quality on plant and after cutting.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

A. Stamens, filaments and anthers:

Arrangement and color.--Regularly arranged around styles; color of filaments -- yellow with orange red tips.

B. Pollen:

Color.--Deep yellow.

C. Styles: Long, stigma above mouth of receptacle, yellow, slight to medium hairy.

D. Stigmas: Yellow, positioned below anthers.

E. Hip: Funnel-shaped; medium seed vessel at petal fall.

PLANT

A. Form: Medium width, bushy, average disease resistance.

B. Growth: Vigorous.

C. Foliage: Compound 3, 5 and 7 leaflets.

(1) Size.--Medium.

(2) Quantity.--Abundant.

(3) Color.--Juvenile foliage -- red purple; near 178A; mature leaf color -- near 139A.

(4) Shape.--Broad oval.

(5) Texture.--Upper side is leathery and slightly glossy; underside is matte.

(6) Edge.--Serrate.

(7) Serration.--Ordinary, acuminate apices.

(8) Leaf stem.--Color -- medium green, near 147A to 147B.

(9) Stipules.--Short, simple, medium green, distinct auricle.

(10) Leaflets.--Cross section -- slight convex; medium undulation at margin; terminal leaflet -- blade medium length and width, rounded base.

D. Wood:

(1) New wood.--Color -- young shoots have medium to strong anthocyanin; coloration -- reddish brown.

(2) Old wood.--Color -- medium green, near 147B.

E. Prickles (thorns):

(1) Prickles.--Present; quantity (main stalk) -- ordinary; on laterals from stalk -- ordinary; shape of lower side -- concave; Length -- average; Color -- near 159A; Position -- irregular; Number≦5 mm -- very few; Number≧5 mm -- few. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid tea rose class, substantially as shown and described. 